Cold Justice TV Team Helps With Minocqua Homicide Arrest

The investigative team from Oxygen Channel's Cold Justice program were instrumental in the arrest this week of a 36 year old murder case in Minocqua.

Authorities Monday arrested 69- year- old Robin Mendez for the murder of his wife Barbara in Minocqua in 1982.

The Cold Justice Team investigates cold cases across the U.S. and the program shows their methods of looking at evidence again to try to find the person responsible. Many of their cases are decades old, like the Minocqua homicide.

Thursday, Oneida County Sheriff Grady Hartman said the Cold Justice team brought fresh eyes and more resources to the table...

"...it really was a great resource that they were willing to look at this case and give us a hand with it. It was a fresh set of eyes and they brought out some resources to the table that we normally wouldn't have access to. They really were professional and easy to get along with and work with. It was quite an experience...."

Sheriff Hartman said the team worked directly with local law enforcement. He says they re-interviewed a number of witnesses and evidence. After the new research was put together, it was given to District Attorney Michael Schiek who approved the filing of charges against Mendez.

A cash bond of $250,000 was set for Mendez and a judge will be assigned to the case.

Related Content

After last Friday's large response by local emergency responders to a house in Rhinelander, the Oneida County Sheriff's Department is reminding the public to make preparations should a person with a medical emergency need help.

Captain Terri Hook says one way is to contract with any one of a number of private companies that provide a type of "one touch" alert service for people who can't speak or get help any other way...